The early hours of 8 November earthquake (up to shindo 5+): what to check now if you felt it strongly

The short answer

At around 1:04 a.m. on 8 November 2026, an earthquake centred in western Shizuoka Prefecture produced shindo 5+ (5 upper, on Japan's seismic intensity scale) in Chita, Aichi Prefecture. According to the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA), there is no risk of a tsunami from this earthquake.

If the shaking was strong where you are, assume shaking of a similar size could come again for a while. A realistic order is: tonight, make your floor and sleeping area safe; once it is light, check gas, electricity and the house itself, one by one.

What JMA reported

In its 1:12 a.m. report, JMA put the epicentre in western Shizuoka Prefecture at a depth of about 40 km, with a magnitude of 5.7.

Shindo 5+ was recorded in Chita, Aichi. Shindo 5- (5 lower) was recorded in Seto, Handa, Kariya, Toyota, Tokai, Miyoshi, Togo and Shinshiro in Aichi; Urugi village in Nagano; Ena in Gifu; and Hamana ward of Hamamatsu in Shizuoka. Shindo 4 was observed across a wide part of the Tokai region, including every ward of Nagoya and Toyohashi. Figures can be revised, so check JMA's earthquake information for the latest values.

JMA's explanation table for the intensity scale describes shindo 5+ as shaking in which most people find it hard to walk without holding on, and unsecured furniture may topple.

Shaking over the next few days

JMA's basic advice after a large earthquake is to watch for earthquakes of similar size for about a week. It notes that larger earthquakes often occur especially within the first two to three days. For earthquakes with a maximum intensity of 5- or higher, JMA publishes an outlook from about one to two hours afterwards, so check that too.

The Nankai Trough Earthquake Extra Information (under investigation) is issued when, for example, a magnitude 6.8 or larger earthquake occurs within the monitored area. At the time of writing, JMA's release history did not list any Extra Information issued in response to this earthquake. Check JMA for anything announced later.

Tonight and tomorrow: checks at home

• Your feet and light: there may be broken dishes or glass, so wear shoes or slippers when you move around. Use a torch or headlamp for light.
• Where you sleep: look for leaning furniture or things that could fall from high places, and move your bedding away from furniture.
• Gas: a city-gas smart meter may shut off automatically in shaking of about shindo 5 or more, and its red lamp then blinks. To reset it, turn off every gas appliance, including outdoor ones, press the reset button, wait about three minutes, and check that the blinking has stopped. Steps vary by meter and supplier, so follow the label on the meter or your gas company's instructions.
• If you smell gas: open windows and doors, and do not touch electrical switches such as the extractor fan. Close the gas valve at the meter, then call your gas company and follow its instructions.
• Electricity: if the power is out, unplug appliances that produce heat, such as electric heaters. When power returns, check cords and appliances for damage or scorching before using them.

Inspecting a shaken house

Do not go round the outside of the house in the dark; wait until it is light. JMA's explanation table notes that unreinforced concrete-block walls may collapse at shindo 5+, and the Tokyo Fire Department also advises keeping away from block walls and gateposts.

Inside, check that doors and windows open and close, that there are no new cracks in walls or ceilings, and that nothing is leaking around the kitchen or bathroom. If the house seems to lean or a wall has a large crack, do not force yourself to stay; move to the evacuation site your local authority designates. When tidying up, start by moving heavy items to low places, in case more shaking comes. At work, too, check items on top of shelves and any leaning cabinets first thing.

Reaching family, and handling rumours

Send family who live elsewhere a short message saying you are safe. If phone lines are busy, you can use the Disaster Emergency Message Dial (171) or the web171 message board. How to use them is covered in the column on checking on family with 171 and web171.

After a large earthquake, posts of unknown origin such as "a bigger one is coming next" tend to spread. Check earthquake information with JMA and evacuation information with your local authority, and do not share posts you cannot verify. How to check is covered in the column on misinformation and scams that follow disasters.

Before the next one

Anything that fell or moved this time is a candidate for securing. Start with the bedroom and the area near your exits, and make sure everyone at home knows where the torch, water and portable toilets are. Securing furniture, seismic circuit breakers, and the overall picture of preparing before, during and after a quake are covered in the related columns.